Time controlled valve operating mechanism



. J n 1 P. s. HARPER ET AL TIME CONTROLLED VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 13, 1954 fizz/enfors PHILIP S. HARPER AND WILLIAM S. WAGENHALS June 1958 P. s. HARPER ET AL TIME CONTROLLED VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

@W AHA/NM 5% w r p m a 6%. r 3H 0 W M 4a hmm Q L /W MW 6 M u. w vw b June 3, 1958 P. s. HARPER ET AL 2,837,154

TIME CONTROLLED VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 15, 1954 I 0 I 1 I u n u I fizflellfors PHIL/P .S HARPER AND WILLIAM s. WAQENHAL;

TIME CONTROLLED VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Philip S. Harper, Chicago, and William S. Wagenhals, Princeton, Ill., assignors to Harper-Wyman Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application December 13, 1954, Serial No. 474,696

Claims. (Cl. 161-9) This invention relates to a time controlled valve operatmg mechanism and more particularly to an improved time controlled mechanism for automatically controlling the fuel feed valve associated with a gas burner to stop the flow of gas to the burner after a preselected and adjustable time interval.

The primary object of this present invention is to provrde an improved time controlled valve operating mechanism of simple, rugged and low cost construction which is entirely self-contained and may be easily and quickly embodied in a gas range to perform its valve control function.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved time controlled valve operating mechanism which isentirely self-contained and is provided with facilities for independently controlling both the amount and duration of gas flow through the controlled valve.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedmechanism of the character described, which embodies the manually operable valve operating handle as an integrated part thereof and which is so constructed that the handle may be manually operated to any desired setting between its full on and shut-off positions while the gas flow timing operation is in progress without in any way interfering with this timing operation.

According to a further object of the invention, the present improved valve operating mechanism is so arranged that parts of the time controlled mechanism coact with the manually operable valve operating handle to prevent the handle from being set in a position intermediate its full on and shut off positions until after the handle has first been moved to its full on position, thereby to insure a full flow of gas to the controlled burner during gas ignition at the burner.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved mechanism of the character described which is so arranged that the setting imparted to the valve operating handle represents an easily observable indication of the flow setting of the controlled valve.

In accordance with still another object of the invention, the present improved time controlled valve operating mechanism is provided with 'a manually settable timer which is easily adjustable to measure, within limits, any desired time interval, and in which an indication ofthe time interval selected for measurement by the timer is provided which is visible from all positions above the timer setting element.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, in the course of which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating the present improved time controlled valve operating mechanism in association with a controlled double gas valve and showing the assembly mounted upon a segment of the front panel of a gas range;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, illustrating certain details of the mechanism;

Patented June 3, 1958 2 r Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the various components of the mechanism when disassembled; Fig. 4 is an elevational view partially in section taken along the line 44 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view taken along the section line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view taken along the section line 66 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the section line 8--8 in Fig. 2; and

I Fig. 9 is an elevational view partially in section illustrating the lost motion connection between the timing cams forming a part of the adjustable period timer embodied in the valve operating mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, operating mechanism there generally identified by the reference number 10, is illustrated as being mounted on the control panel 11 of a gas range to control a gas valve 12 mounted to the rear of the panel 11. This valve is associated with one of the burners of the range in the usual manner. The double valve 12 may be of any desired commercial type although preferably of the improved form disclosed and claimed in United States Patent No.

2,632,469 to Charles C. Lamar, granted March 24, 1953.

1 the assembly. Gas is selectively fed to these two conduits from a main gas supply conduit, not shown but connected to the valving mechanism of the valve 12, through selective operation of the rotatable valve stem 12c which projects through the mounting panel 11 for manual manipulation and time controlled automatic operation by the mechanism 10.

Briefly and as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the present improved valve operating mechanism comprises a U- shaped manually operable valve operating handle 13 which is connected to the valve stem 12c and is rotatable between valve on and valve off positions to rotate the valve stem 12c accordingly, an actuator in the formof a cup 14 which is rotatable about the same axis as the handle 13 from a valve oflf position to a valve on position in response to rotation of the handle 13 from its ofi position to its on position, spring means in the form of a coil spring 15 concentrically disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the two elements 13 and 14 for .biasing the actuator cup 14 from its on position to its off position, latching means in the form of a pivoted latch 16 for latching the actuator cup 14 in its off position when rotated to this position under the control of thehandle 13, thereby to free the handle 13 for adjustment to any position between its on and off position, and adjustable period timing means comprising a spring driven timer 17 for releasing the latch 16 afer a measured time interval to permechanism are primarily supported by a springhousing cup 18 which is telescopically nested within the actuator cup 14 in the manner best illustrated in Fig.2 of' the drawings. This cup is stationary and isprovided with a centrally disposed tubular hub 18a which projects through an enlarged opening in the actuator cup 14 to act as a bearing for the latter cup, and also projects into the present improved time controlled valve a flanged circular opening which is centrally located in the bottom wall 19d of a supporting cup 19. The timer 17 is supported upon the housing cup 18 in spaced relationship therefrom by -.means of three spaced mounting feet 39 whichare fixedly connected to the base wall of the cup 18and are screw connected to the base plate .36 of the timer 17. i

As shown, the bottom wall opening of the supporting cup 19 is provided with an outwardly directed flange 19a which receives the tubular hub 18a of the'housing cup 18 and is adapted to project into a mounting opening in the panel 11. An annular assembly plate 2%) having a flange 20a projecting within the tubular hub 18a is provided for the purpose of mounting the valve operating mechanism on the panel 11. The usual backup plate 21;is provided between the bottom wall 19d of the cup 19 and 9th?) panel 11 to provide additional clearance between these :two parts. It .will be understood that the engaged surfaces of .the tubular hub 18a and the flanges 19a and a are in press fitting relationship and that this relationship between the named parts serves to hold the valve operating nnechanism 10 associated on the panel 11.

As best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the supporting cup 19 is provided with a rim 1% which extends outwardly from the panel 11 and is provided with an arcuate slot 19c for receiving the leg 13a of the -U-shaped valve operating handle 13. This slot extends around the periphery of the .cup 19 adjacent the bottom wall 19d thereof .at an angle of somewhat more than 180 degrees, thereby .to permit full 180 degree rotation of the handle 13 between its full on and shut off positions. Similarly, the tubular hub part 18a of the spring housing cup 18 is provided with an arcuate slot 182: for receiving the leg 13a of the handle 13. This slot is radially aligned with the slot 19c in the cup 19 and also extends through an :angle somewhat ofeexcess of 180 degrees to permit full 180 degree rotation of the handle 13.

At its inner end, the leg 13a of the .U-shaped handle 13 is provided with an enlarged part 22 having an aperture 22a therein for receiving the valve stem 12 This aperture is provided with a flat edge portion 221) which is adapted to coact with a flat surface on the valve stem 1-2cto provide a driving connection between this stem and *the'handle 13. As best shown in Fig. 2, the U-shaped handle 13 partially encircles the other components of the assembly, including the timer 17 and the internested cups 14,18 and 19 so that the opposite leg 13b of the handle extends downwardly over the front part of the mechanism. At its outer-end, the handle leg 13b is provided with-a circular opening 23 for receiving and hold- L inga flanged bearing cup 13c which receives the end of the timing shaft 17a'of the timer 17 so that the end of "this shaft'serves as a pivot about which the handle 13 may be rotated.

More specifically, the timer 17 is provided with a timer pre-settingknob 24 inthe form of a cup shaped member which preferably is molded from any suitable plastic material. The inner rim surface of the cup 24 engages the outer peripheral surface of the supporting cup 19 so that the latter ,cup acts as a bearing for the knob 24 about which the latter may be rotate. An enlarged opening 24a ,is provided in the bottom of the cup-shaped member 24 for receivinga-face plate 25 which fills this opening and may be held within the opening in any desired manner.

This plate, which is included in the assembly primarily for decorative purposes, is provided at its center with an opening through which the end of the timer shaft 17a extends. The flange on the bearing cup 130 bears against the outer surface of the face plate 25 adjacent this opening. 'In.order to provide a driving connection between the knob 24 and the timing shaft 17a ofthe timer 17, a transversely extending driving member 26 is provided whichhas-itsendsinsert molded intothe walls defining the opening '24ain the knob 24. The-member 26 is provided with a centrally disposed opening for receiving the timing shaft 17a, which is provided with a flat along one side to engage the fiat 1717 on the shaft 17a and thus drivingly interconnect the timer elements 24 and 17a. As best shown in Fig. l, the cup-shaped knob 24 is provided around its outerperipheral portion 245 with time marks 24c graduated to indicate one minute intervals of time measured through rotation of the timing shaft 17a from a selected off normal position back to its normal position. Specifically, the heavy time lines are representative of five minute intervals Whereas the light time lines disposed between the heavy lines are representative of one minute intervals. The zero or normal position time mark appears atthe extreme top of the cup 24 in the normal position of the timing shaft 17a, and in this position is in registry with an index mark inscribed upon the upper end portion of the supporting cup 19. Time indicia are inscribed upon the beveled surface 24d of the knob 24 at five minute intervals in the manner shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

As indicated above, the coil spring 15 is :housed within the nested cups 14 and 18 and is provided for the purpose of biasing the actuator cup 14 to move from its on position to its 05 position. To this end and as best shown in Fig. 5, the inner end 15a of the spring 15 is provided with an aperture 151) for receiving and engaging a small anchor part struck out at an angle from the tubular hub 18a of the housing cup 18. Thus, the inner end of the spring 15 is anchored to the stationary housing cup 18. The convolutions, of the spring -15zare wound about the tubular hub 18a in the proper direction to bias the actuator cup 14 for movement towards its off position, and at its outer end, this spring is provided with a hooked part 15c which engages a lug 14 a struck out from the base wall of the actuator cup 14. It will 'be understood that when this cup occupies its normal or oil? position, the convolutions of the spring 15 are par- :tially :wound up or tensioned between the lug 180 of the stationary housing cup 13 and the lug 14a of the rotatable actuator cup 14.

vIn order to rotate the actuator cup 14 from its off position to its on position in response to rotation of the handle 13 between the same two positions, these two partsare provided with interengaging parts. More'spe- -cifically, the housing cup 14 is provided with a lug 14b struck out from the bottom wall thereof which lies in the path of rotation of the handle leg 130. As indicated above, the latching element 16 serves to latch the actuator cup 14 in its full on position after being rotated to this position through operation of thehandle '13. To this end, the latching element 16 is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot pin 26 externally of the bottom wall of the stationary housing cup 18 and is provided with a latching finger 16:: which is adapted to be received within a latching slot 14c cut inwardly from the lip portion of the actuator cup 14 which overhangs the bottom Wall of the housing cup 18. It will be understood that when the finger loais out of engagement with the slot 140, it rides on the inner surfaceof the overhanging lip portion of the actuator cup 14 during relative movement between the two parts 14 and 18. The latching element =16 is biased to engage the inner surface of the cup 14 by means of a light spring 27 coiled about one of the feet 9 which supports the timer 17 on the cup 18 and is tensioned between a laterally projecting part 1612 of the-latch 16 and an anchor lug 13d struck outwardly from the bottom-wail of the housing cup 18.

For the purpose of pivoting the latch 16 about the pivot pin 26 to withdraw the latching finger 16a from the slot 14c precisely at the end of a preselected time interval "measured by the-timer 1'7, impacting means comprising a pivoted hammer 23 are provided. This hammeris pivotally supported by means of a pivot pin 29011 the base wall of the housing cup 18 and is provided'withua hammer nose l2$a which is adapted to strike .the ,latching elementxl'fi at .La point-intermediatetheouter end of .the laterally extending latch part 16b and the latching 'in terms of difierent incremental movements of the timing shaft 17a from different preselected off normal positions back to the no'rma position of this shaft. This shaft is in axial alignment with the valve operating stem 12c and is provided with an extension 17c which, depending upon the construction of the timer, may be an integral part of the shaft 171: or may comprise a separate element suitably interconnected with the shaft 17a for rotation therewith. The shaft extension 170 projects outwardly from the timer 17 within the rim of the actuator cup 14 and carries relatively rotatable earns and 31 at the end thereof. These cams function to control the operation of an assembly comprising the actuating pin 32a for moving the hammer 28 into striking engagement with the latch 16. More specifically, this assembly comprises an arm 32 pivotally supported at one end by means of a pivot pin 33 upon the base plate 36 of the timer 17 and carries the actuating pin 32a at the free end thereof. This pivoted arm is biased by means of a spring 34 to rotate the actuating pin 32a into striking engagement with the edge 23d of the hammer 28 under the selective control of the timer actuated cams 30 and 31. Specifically, the spring 34 is tensioned between a part 33a struck out from the arm 32 intermediate the ends thereof and a part 35 struck out from the base plate 36 of the timer 17.

Intermediate its ends, the pivoted arm 33 carries a cam follower pin 37 which is adapted to ride on the peripheral surface of the inner cam 31. This cam follower pin is adapted to drop off the peripheral surface of the cam 31 into cam slots 38 and 39 cut inwardly from the peripheries of the two cams 30 and 31, respectively. As best shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the cam slot 39 provided in the cam 31 is relatively narrow and has relatively steep edges which define a narrow mouth for receiving the cam follower pin 37. The cam 31 equipped with this slot is freely rotatable about the timing shaft 17c and serves as the precision timing cam. It is of slightly greater diameter than the cam 30. The slot 38 provided in the smaller cam 30 is likewise provided with one steep edge 38a having the same slope as the edges 39a and 39b of the cam 31, and with a sloping edge 38b of greater divergence than the other cam slot edges, which serves as the lifting edge for the cam follower pin 37 during wind up of the timer 17. In this regard, it should be noted that the cam 30 is fixedly mounted upon the end of the shaft extension 17 c for rotation therewith.

In order to provide for relative rotation between the two cams 3i and 31 during wind up of the timer 17 in response to rotation of the knob 24, thereby to effect lifting of the cam follower pin 37 from the bottoms of the :slots 33 and 39 to the periphery of'the cam 31, lost motion connection of the character; shown in Fig. 9 is provided between the two cams. As there sho'wn,the inner cam 31 is provided with an arcuate lost motion slot 40 having the axis of rotation of the shaft extension 170 as a center which is adapted to receive a pin projection 41 struck out from the wall of the outer cam 30. The "length of the slot 40 is such that approximately 20 degrees of the rotation of the shaft extension 17c and corresponding relative rotation between the two cams 30 and 31 is required in order to move the pin projection 41 from one end of the slot 40 to the other. Thus, approximately 20 degrees of relative rotation are permitted by the described pin and slot lost motion connection between the two cams 30 and 31.

Referring now more particularly to the mode of operation of the mechanism, it is first pointed that under normal conditions the coil spring 15 in reacting between the stationary housing cup 18 and the rotatable actuator cup 14 maintains the actuator cop, the valve operating handle 13 and the valve stem 12c in their respective 011 positions. Specifically, the lug 14b of the actuatorcup is biased to engage the leg 13a of the handle 13 and the handle leg 13a is thus biased to engage the upper end of the slot 190 in the supporting cup 19, as viewed in Fig. l of the drawings. Also under normal conditions, the timer 17 and the parts controlled thereby are at rest, i. e., occupy positions wherein the zero time mark 240 of the time scale on the knob 24 is indexed with the index mark of the outer periphery of the supporting cup 19, the time shaft 17a and its extension 17c occupy their respective normal positions, and the cams 30 and 31 occupy the positions illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, i. e., positions in which the cam follower pin 37 is disposed at the bottoms of the cam slots 38 and 39.

In order to open the valve 12 to permit gas flow through the conduits 12a and 12b, the handle 13 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the position illustrated in Fig. 1 until the leg 13a thereof engages the bottom end of the slot 19c. Incident to this operation, the valve stem is rotated to operate the valve 12 to its full on position wherein gas is admitted to both of the conduits 12a and 12b from the main supply conduit, not shown. Also incident to such rotation of the handle 13, the handle leg 13a remains in engagement with the lug 14b on the actuator cup 14 and rotates this cup about the tubular hub 18a to increase the tension in the coil spring 15. As the handle 13 is rotated into its full on setting, the latching slot is moved to a position for receiving the latching finger 16a. After the latching finger 16a is moved into the slot 140 under the influence of the spring 27, the actuator cup 14 is latched against return movement to its off position. Accordingly, the handle 13 is freed for rotation to any desired setting between its on and off positions, so that the desired gas fiow setting may be imparted to the valve stem 12b and the valve 12 controlled thereby. After the actuator cup 14 is thus latched in its on position, the only way that it can be restored to its off position is through operation of the timer 17 and the latch release facilites controlled thereby.

In order to preset the timer 17 for a desired timing operation, the knob 24 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 to a position wherein the time mark corresponding to the desired cooking period is indexed with the index mark on the outer periphery of the supporting cup 19. Incident to such rotation of the knob 24, the timing shaft 17a and the extension thereof are rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7 and in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8 of the drawings. At the start of such rotation and as explained above, the cam follower pin 37 occupies a position at the bottoms of the cam slots 38 and 39, such that the lost motion pin projection 41 is in engagement with the upper end of the lost motion slot 40 in the cam 30 as viewed in Fig. 9 of the drawings. In this position of the elements 30, 31 and 37, the cam follower pin 37 holds the cam 31 against rotation. Accordingly, during the initial rotary movement of the knob 24 the cam 31 is held against rotation while the cam 30 is rotated with the shaft extension 170. During such rotation of the cam 30, the cam slot edge 38b rides the cam follower pin 37 out of the two slots 38 and 39 until the peripheral surface of the cam 30 passes beneath the pin 37 to produce non-registry between the two slots 38 and 39 such that these slots are closed. Also during such relative rotation of the cams 30 and 31, the pin projection 40 is moved downward from the position illustrated in Fig. 9 until, at the point in the relative rotation of the two cams where the slots 38 and 39 are completelyout of registry, the pin 41 engages the bottom end of the slot 40. Following such engagement of the pin 41 with the lower end of the slot 40 and during continued rotation of the knob '24, the two cams 30 and 31 rotate together beneath the cam follower pin 37. In'this regard, it will be understood that in order effectively toset the timer 17 and its associated latch releasing facilities in the condition required to etfect a latch releasing operation, the two cams 3t) and 31 must be relatively rotated a sufiicient amount to insure elevation of the cam follower pin 37 out of the slots 38 and 39 onto the periphery of the cam 31. With the arrangement illustrated, rotation of the knob 24 through an angle corresponding to a period of ten minutes to be measured by the timer 17 is more than adequate to insure complete removal of the pin 37 from the slots 38 and 39 onto the periphery of the cam 31. After the latch releasing assembly is thus set to perform its latch releasing operation in the manner described below, the

knob 24 may, if desired, be rotated back toward its normal zero time setting in order to effect measurement of a time interval of less than ten minutes. Incident to such backward rotation of the knob 24, the cam 3% is, of course, rotated back toward its normal position to move the lost motion pin projection 41 upward within the slot 49 as viewed in Fig. 9 of the drawings. However, engagement of the pin 37 with the periphery of the cam 31 prevents rotation of this cam. In the case just described, the timing operation starts with the lost motion pin projection 41 disposed in a position intermediate the ends of the slot 40.

As the cam follower pin 37 rides out of the cam slots 38 and 39 during the described rotation of the cam 36, -it pivots the arm 32 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7 and in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8, such pivotal movement being effected against the biasing action ofthe spring 34. During such pivotal movement of the arm 32, the actuating pin 30 bears against the edge 280 of the slot 28b in the handle 28 to pivot this hammer from the dash-dot line position shown in Fig. 8 to the full line position shown in this figure, i. e.,to the striking position. A

After a desired time setting has been manually imparted to the knob 24 and this knob has been released, return movement of the timing shaft 17b and the extension 17c thereof back to'their normal positions is immediately started under the control of the spring drive mechanism embodied in the timer 17. The knob 24,

is, of course, rotated back towards its normal position with the timing shaft 17a. During such return movementof the shaft 17a and its extension 170, the cam 30 is driven back toward its home or normal position. -During the initial portion of this cam return movement and while the pin projection 41 is traveling slot 40, the cam 31 is held stationary through frictional engagement of the cam follower pin 37 with the periphery of this cam. When, however, the cam 30 is driven to move the pin projection 41 into engagement with the upper end of the slot 46, as viewed in Fig. 9, the cam slots 30 and 31 are brought into registry and the two cams 30 and 31 move in unison back toward their normal positions. At the precise interval when the knob 24, the timing shaft 17a and its extension 170 are returned to their respective norma positions, the edge 3% of the cam slot 39 in the cam 31 clears the pin 37 permitting this pin to be pulled rapidly into the registering slots 38 and 39 through the biasing action of the spring 34 on the pivoted arm 32. Incident to this drop-off movement of the cam follower pin 37, the arm 32 is rapidly rotated about its pivot pin 33 to move the actuating pin 40 into striking engagement with the edge 28d of the slot 23b in the hammer 28. The impact of the pin 3t) on the edge 28d of the hammer 28 causes this hammer to :be rapidly rotated in a counterclockwise directienuas viewed in Figs. 6 and 8, thereby to bring within the thenose 28a thereof into impacting engagement with the latch 16 at a .point intermediate the latch parts 16a and 1612. As a consequence, the latch 16 is pivoted counterclockwise from the position illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8 about its pivot pin 26 and against the bias of the spring 27 to withdraw the latching finger 16a from the latching slot 140. The resulting unlatching of the actuator cup 14 immediately releases this cup for rotation back to its off position under the influence of the spring 15 and such movement of the cup rotates the slot 140 away from the latching finger 16a so that upon recoil of the latch 16 under the influence of spring 27, this latching finger engages the inner rim surface of the cup 14. As -the.actuator cup 14 rotates from its on position back to its off" position under the influence of the spring 15, the leg 14b thereof engages the handle leg 13a to rotate the handle 13 back to its home position wherein the leg 13a reengages the upper end of the slot 190 in the supporting cup 19. Incident to rotation of the handle 13 back to its off position, the valve stem 12c is rotated therewith back to its off position wherein the valve 12 is fully closed to cut off gas flow into the conduits 12a and 12b. Thus the timing operation of the mechanism is completed.

As will be evident from the foregoing explanation, all

parts of the described mechanism with the handle 13,

the knob 24 and the parts 24? and 2-1 disassociated therefrom maybe factory assembled. In mounting the mechanism on a gas range or the like, the above described mounting assembly comprising the parts 18a, 19a, 20 and 21 are assembled in an obvious manner in mounting the mechanism on the panel 11. During the mounting operation, the leg 13a of the handle 13 is slipped into the slots 19c and 1812, following which the legs 13a and 13b are spread apart to permit the bearing cup 130 to be centered with respect to and telescoped over the end of the shaft 130. As the mechanism is mounted on the panel 11, the handle leg opening 22 is properly positioned to be telescoped .over the end of the stem as the flange 19a of the supporting cup 19 is moved inward through the mounting opening in the panel 11. It will'also be understood that in order 'to disassemble the handle 13 from the remaining parts of the mechanism, it is only necessary 'to dismount the mechanism from the panel 11 and spread the legs 13a and 13b to disengage the bearing cup 13c from the end of the shaft 171:, following which the handle maybe withdrawn sidewise to disengage the same from the other parts of the assembly. I

While the details of the present invention have been described in connection with an illustrative embodiment thereof, it should be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except insofar as set forth in theaccompanying claims.

Having thus described the invention, 'what we claim as new and desired to secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

.1. A time controlled valve operating mechanism for rotating a valve stem between an on position and an off position, comprising telescopically nested spring housing and actuator cups, said spring housing cup being stationary and said actuator cup being rotable about the axis of said valve stem from an off position to an on position, a coil spring disposed within said cups and connected therebetween to bias said actuator cup for rotation from its on position to its off position, latching means for latching said actuator cup in its on position, an adjustable periodtimer mounted on said housing cup opposite the end of said valve stem and provided with means for releasing said latching means to permit said actuator cup to rotate from its on position to its off position under the influence of said spring, and a manually operable valve operating handle connected to rotate said actuator cup and said valve stem in unison from their 01f positions to their on positions and operable to rotate said valve stem between its .on and 0E positions following operation of said latching means to latch ,said actuator cup in its on position, and said actuator cup being operable to return said handle and valve stem to their off positions in response to release of said latching means.

v2. A'time controlled valve operatingmechanism for rotating a valve stem between an on position and an oil position, comprising telescopically nested spring housing and actuator cups, said spring housing cup being stationary and said actuator cup being rotatable about the axis of said valve stem from an' off position to an on position, a coil spring disposed within said cups and connected therebetween to bias said actuator cup for rotation from its on position to its ofi position, latching means for latching said actuator cup in its on position, an adjustable period timer mounted on said housing cup opposite the end of said valvestem, imparting means controlled by said timer to impart a hammer blow to said latching means at the end of a measured time interval, thereby to release said latching means and thus permit said actuator cup to rotate from its on position to its fofi position under the influence of said spring, and a manually operable valve operating handle connected to rotate said actuator cup and. said valve stem in unison from the o positions to their on positions and operable to rotate said valve stem between its on and ,ofl positions following operation of said latching means to latch said actuator cup in its on position, said actuator cup being operable under the influence of said spring to return said handle and valve stem to their oflE positions in response to release of said latching means.

3. A time controlled valve operating mechanism for rotating a valve 'stem between an on position and an ofi position, comprising telescopically nested spring housing and actuator cups, said spring housing cup being stationary and said actuator cup being rotatable about the axis ;of said valve stem from an off, position to an ,on position, a coil spring disposed within said cups and connected therebetween to bias said actuator cupffor rotation from its on position to its off position, said actuator cup being provided with a rim overhanging the base wall of said housing cup and having a latching slot in said rim, a spring biased latching element pivotally mounted on the base wall of said housing cup and biased to engage said latching slot in response to rotation of said actuator cup to its on position, thereby to latch said actuator cup in its on position, an adjustable period timer mounted on said housing .cup opposite the end of said valve stem and provided with means for moving said latching element out of said slot to permit said actuator cup to rotate from its on position to its oil position under the influence of said spring, and a manually operable valve operating handle connected to rotate said actuator cup and said valve stem in unison from their ofl positions to their on positions and operable to rotate said valve stem between its on and off positions following operation of said latching means to latch said actuator cup in its on position, said actuator cup being operable under the influence of said spring to return said handle and valve stem to their ofi positions in response to release of said latching means.

4. A time controlled valve operating mechanism for rotating a valve stem between an on position and an off position, comprising telescopically nested spring housing and actuator cups, said spring housing cup being stationary and said actuator cup being rotatable about the axis of said valve stem from an off position to an on position, a coil spring disposed within said cups and connected therebetween to bias said actuator cup for rotation from its on position to its position, said actuator cup being provided with a rim overhanging the base wall of said housing ,cup and having a latching slot in said rim, a spring biased latching element pivotally mounted on the base wall of said housing cup and biased to engage said latching slot in response to rotation of said actuator claimed in claim 4, wherein said latching element rides 10 cup to its on. -position, thereby to latch said actuator cup in its on position, an adjustable period timer mounted on said housing cup opposite the end of said valve stem, impacting means controlled by said timer to impart a hammer blow to said latching element at the end of a measured time interval, thereby to move said latching element from said slot and thus permit said actuator cup to rotate from its on position to its otf position under the influence of said spring, and a manually operable valve operating handle connected to rotate said actuator cup and said valve stem in unison from their off positions to their on positions and operable to rotate said valve stem between its on and off positions following operation of said latching means to latch said actuator cup in'its on position, said actuator cup being operable under the influence of said spring to return said handle and valve stem to their off positions in response to release of said latching means.

5. A time controlled valve operating mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein said impacting means comprises a hammer pivotally supported on the base wall of said housing cup and provided with a nose for striking said latching element to pivot said latching element out of said slot.

6. A time controlled valve operating mechanism as against the internal surface of the overhanging rim of said housing cup during relative movement between said cups, and said impacting means comprises a hammer pivotally supported on the base wall of said housing cup and provided with a nose for striking said latching element to pivot said latching element out of said slot.

7. A time controlled valve operating mechanism for rotating a valve stem between an on position and an ofi position, comprising telescopically nested spring housing andvalve actuator cups, said spring housing cup 'being stationary and being provided with a tubular hub for receiving said valve stem and for rotatably supporting said actuator cup for rotation'about the axis of said valve stem from an off position to an on position, a coil spring disposed within said cups and connected therebetween to bias said actuator cup for rotation from its,on position to its olf position, latching means for latching said actuator cup in its on position, an adjustable period timer mounted on said housing cup opposite the end of said valve stem and provided with means forfreleasing said latching. means to permit said actuator cup to rotate from its on position to-its off position under the influence of said spring, said tubular hub being provided with an arcuate slot overlying said valve stem, and a manually operable valve operating handle extending through and movable within said slot and connected to rotate said actuator cup and said valve stem in unison from their oil positions to their on positions and operable to rotate said valve stem between its on and oil positions following operation of said latching means to latch said actuator cupvin its on position, said actuator cup being operable under the influence of said spring to return said handle and valve stem to their ofi positions in response to release of said latching means.

8. A time controlled valve operating mechanism for rotating a valve stem between an on position and an olf position, comprising telescopically nested spring housing and valve actuator cups, said spring housing cup being stationary and being provided with a tubular hub for receiving said valve stem and for rotatably supporting said actuator cup for rotation about the axis of said valve stem from an o position to an on position, a coil spring disposed within said cups and connected therebetween to bias said actuator cup for rotation from its on position to its 0 position, latching means for latching said actuator cup in its on position, a support-v ass /71:54

' basewall aperture for receiving the "end of said tubular hub, an adjustable period timer mounted on said housing cup opposite theend of said shaft and provided with a rotatable oup-shaped time setting knob opening toward the open end of said supporting cup and provided with a rim pivotally supported by the rim of said sup.-

porting cup, means controlled by said timer for releasto rotate said actuator cup and said valve stem in nuison from their 'oflf positions to their on positions and operable to rotate said valve stem between its on and o positions following operation of said latching means to latch said actuator cup in its on position, said actuator cup being operable under the influence of said spring to return said handle and valve stem to their off positions in response to release of said latching means.

9. A time controlled valve operating mechanism for rotating a valve stem between an on position and an oil position, comprising telescopically nested spring housing and valve actuator cups, said spring housing :cup being stationary andtbeing provided with a tubular hub for receiving said valve stem and for rotatably supporting said actuator cup for rotation about the axis of said valve stem from an off position to an on position, a coil spring disposed within said cups and connected' therebetween to bias said actuator cup for rotation from its on to its off position, latching means for latching said actuator cup in its on position, a supporting cup partially enclosing said housing and actuator cups and provided with a centrally disposed and flanged base wall aperture for receiving'the end of said tubular hub, an adjustable period timer mounted on said housing cup opposite the end of said shaft andprovided with a rotatable cup-shaped time setting knob opening toward the open end of said supporting cup and provided with a rim pivotally supported by the rim of said supporting cup, means controlled by said timer for releasing said latching means to permit said actuator cup .to rotate from its on position to its oif position under the influence of said spring, said tubular hub and the side Wall of said supporting cup being provided with radially aligned arcuate slots overlying said valve stem,

and a manually-operable El-shaped valveoperating'handle partially encircling said actuator and housing cups and said timer, said *lra'n'dle having one leg *the end of which is pivotally supported at the center of said 'knob and with a second leg extending through and movable within said slots, said second handle *leg being connected to rotate said actuatorcup and said valve stem in unison from their ofi positions to their on positions and operable to rotate said valve stem between its 'on' and offpositions following operation of said latching means to latch said actuator cup in its on posit'ion, saidactuator =cup being operable under the influence of said spring to return said handle and va'lvestei'n to their 0 positions in response to release of said latching means.

10. A time controlled valve operating'mechanism for rotating a valve stem between an -on position and an 01? position, comprising telescopically nested spring housingvand valve actuator cups, said spring housing cup being stationary and said actuator cup being rotata'ble about the :axis -of said valve stem from an elf position to an on position, a-coil spring disposed Within said cups and connected'there'between to bias said actuator cup for rotation from its on position to its off position, latching means for latching said actuator cup in its 'on position, an adjustable period timer mounted on said housing cup opposite the end of said valve stem .and provided with means for releasing said "latching means to permit said actuator cup to rotate from its on position to its off position :nnder-the'in- -fiuence=of said spring, and a manually operable =U-shaped valve operating handle partially encircling said cupsand said timerand connected to rotate said actuator cupand said valve stem in unison from their oil positions 'to their on positions and operable to rotate said valve SCBITI between its on.-and ort positions following operation of said latching means to latchnsaidactuator in its on position, said actuator cup being operable under the influence .of said spring to return said handle and valve stem tortheir o positions in response torelease of said latching means.

References Cited in the file :ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

